This is a pleasing, if rather brief (29 minutes) Christmas jazz album that was originally quite popular. Reissued on a 1982 LP, the set features the Ramsey Lewis Trio (consisting of the leader/pianist, bassist Eldee Young, and drummer Red Holt) on ten Christmas songs, five of which add a string section arranged by Riley Hampton. The renditions of such tunes as "Winter Wonderland," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Sleigh Ride," and Lewis' "Christmas Blues" are fun and melodic, if not all that unique. ~ Scott Yanow

Music Lovers' Ratings & Reviews:

There are simply must have christmas cd's. Of those that qualify as jazz christmas cd's: An Oscar Peterson Christmas; Christmas With The George Shearing Quintet; A Dave Brubeck Christmas; etc,The Ramsey Lewis Trio's Sound Of Christmas is among the best. In fact, those listed are all worth nabbing. Pure jazz, and bluesy spiritual celebration of Christs birth!Must have CD!